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Cureus Oct 2023Background In the field of aesthetic dermatology, there is currently very little data on affordability and cost analysis regarding cosmeceuticals as more demand from...
Background In the field of aesthetic dermatology, there is currently very little data on affordability and cost analysis regarding cosmeceuticals as more demand from patients showing interest in cosmeceutical products to reduce and prevent aging continues to grow. Photoaging, a form of extrinsic aging from sun exposure, can be ameliorated by applying sunscreen and retinol products. Topical ascorbic acid and niacinamide have been shown to target the oxidative stress process that contributes to photoaging. These four products have been identified as the cosmeceutical ingredients with the most evidence-based data on photoaging prevention and treatment. Objective Given the demand for effective skin care, the paucity of data on cost differentiation, and the availability of cosmeceutical products, we analyzed the unit cost of four anti-aging products from major online and physical retailers in the United States. Such a cost comparison may facilitate more economically appropriate recommendations on skin care to consumers. Methods and materials We analyzed sunscreen, topical vitamin C (ascorbic acid), topical vitamin B3 (niacinamide), and topical vitamin A (retinol) products sold by four major United States retailers: Walmart, Ulta, Walgreens, and Amazon. The average cost in dollars per ounce (dollar/oz) was calculated for each product category at each retailer. Statistical analyses were done to determine statistical significance for each product category between retailers as well as between each category of product. Results Between the four retailers, Walmart offered the lowest cost per ounce for every product. In contrast, Amazon offered the highest cost per ounce for every product except for sunscreen. We also found that sunscreen products are less expensive per ounce as compared to retinol, ascorbic acid, and niacinamide products. Conclusion Dermatologists should be knowledgeable of product costs when providing patients with anti-aging product recommendations. Our study provides data on the financial cost by retail location of evidence-based anti-aging cosmeceuticals to better guide physicians in patient consulting and economical resource sharing.
PubMed: 37933373
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46596 -
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic... Aug 2022
Topics: Humans; Mitral Valve
PubMed: 35976129
DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivac216 -
The American Journal of Geriatric... Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Pneumonia; Dementia
PubMed: 37407383
DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.06.011 -
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral... Sep 2023Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
BACKGROUND
Our goal was to quantify the pH and total acidity of human milk fortified with human milk fortifiers (HMFs), powder infant formulas, and protein additives.
METHODS
Commercial liquid HMFs and powder infant formulas were added to pasteurized pooled donor human milk in triplicate and stirred. The pH of unfortified and fortified human milk at 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 30 kcal/ounce (624, 680, 737, 765, 794, and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using a pH meter. Phenolphthalein acidity at 24 and 30 kcal/ounce (680 and 850 kcal/g, respectively) was determined using diluted sodium hydroxide.
RESULTS
The pH of unfortified human milk increased within the first hour (6.52 ± 0.06 vs 6.62 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). Changes in pH largely correlated with caloric density; however, directional changes varied considerably between HMFs and powder infant formulas. Two liquid HMFs demonstrated modest reductions in pH with increasing caloric density whereas one liquid HMF alkalinized human milk with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001). Phenolphthalein acidity was significantly higher for five HMFs and lower for one HMF at 30 kcal/ounce (850 kcal/g) but not 24 kcal/ounce (680 kcal/g). Powder infant formulas generally increased pH with increasing caloric density (analysis of variance P < 0.0001), but no differences in phenolphthalein acidity were noted.
CONCLUSION
Changes in acid/base balancefor fortified human milk are variable and may be a consideration when selecting a fortifying agent for human milk.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Milk, Human; Powders; Food, Fortified; Dietary Supplements; Phenolphthaleins
PubMed: 37350060
DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2537 -
Journal of Cataract and Refractive... Apr 2022Postrefractive surgery ectasia is a serious, sight-threatening complication seen after the following procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive...
Postrefractive surgery ectasia is a serious, sight-threatening complication seen after the following procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, small-incision lenticule extraction, radial keratotomy, and/or arcuate keratotomy. Specific risk factors may include age, corneal thickness, degree of refractive error, corneal topographic changes including irregular astigmatism, percent tissue ablation, and residual stromal bed. Biomarkers may be a new option to help indicate who is at greatest risk for ectasia. Visual aids including spectacles or contacts lenses are often required to achieve optimal vision. Collagen crosslinking is the only treatment believed to stop progression of ectasia and prevent keratoplasty. Other surgical options may include topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy and intrastromal corneal ring segments. Ultimately, an "ounce of prevention is a pound of cure," so careful preoperative screening and ultimately offering the safest and most effective treatments for patients is arguably the most important job of the refractive surgeon.
Topics: Corneal Surgery, Laser; Corneal Topography; Dilatation, Pathologic; Humans; Lasers, Excimer
PubMed: 34486581
DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000808 -
The Journal of Nutrition Sep 2022The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020 DGA) recommend 3 dietary patterns for Americans, including a Healthy Vegetarian Dietary Pattern (HVDP).
BACKGROUND
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020 DGA) recommend 3 dietary patterns for Americans, including a Healthy Vegetarian Dietary Pattern (HVDP).
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to assess whether nutritionally adequate dairy-free and vegan adaptations to the HVDP can be modeled with foods already in the DGA.
METHODS
Using similar food pattern modeling procedures as the 2020 DGA, the nutrient composition of 2 alternative models-dairy-free and vegan-of the 1800-, 2000-, 2200-, and 2400-kcal/d HVDPs was assessed. The dairy food group was replaced with a dairy alternative group comprised of soy milk and soy yogurt fortified with calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. For the vegan model, eggs were replaced with equal proportions of vegetarian protein foods.
RESULTS
Dairy-free and vegan models required minimal changes to the HVDP. Cup-equivalents and/or ounce-equivalents of vegetables, fruits, grains, oils, and discretionary calories remained unchanged. Content of total fat, polyunsaturated fat, linoleic acid (18:2n-6), linolenic acid, iron, copper, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, and vitamin K increased in both models by ≥10% (all comparisons relative to the original HVDP). Choline increased ≥25% in the dairy-free models. Protein decreased 11% in both 1800-kcal/d models and 10% in both 2000-kcal/d models. Sodium, cholesterol, zinc, and phosphorus decreased across all energy levels in both models, and selenium decreased in the vegan model. Carbohydrate, fiber, saturated fat, EPA, DHA, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B-6 changed ≤10%. Both models contained adequate nutrients to meet Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for most age and sex groups for which 1800-, 2000-, 2200-, and 2400-kcal/d diets are appropriate. Zinc was the only nutrient below the DRI for males.
CONCLUSIONS
The dairy-free and vegan HVDP models could help adults who do not consume dairy foods and/or other animal products to meet nutrition recommendations.
Topics: Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Diet, Vegetarian; Humans; Male; United States; United States Department of Agriculture; Vegans; Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Zinc
PubMed: 35485767
DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxac100 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Feb 2021Older adults with dysphagia are at a higher risk of experiencing serious complications where dysphagia is not identified and adequately managed. Nursing personnel are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Older adults with dysphagia are at a higher risk of experiencing serious complications where dysphagia is not identified and adequately managed. Nursing personnel are critical for timely identification and management of dysphagia and prevention of these subsequent serious complications in residential care settings.
OBJECTIVES
To identify dysphagia screening tools used in residential care and to establish whether validated and used as per guidelines, their diagnostic accuracy and reliability and to identify the prevalence rate of dysphagia in this setting.
DESIGN
A scoping review based on Arksey & O'Malley (2005) methodological framework.
DATA SOURCES
An electronic search of databases CINAHL, Pubmed and Scopus was conducted. Reference lists were checked in all identified articles for additional studies. Peer-reviewed publications describing the process of identifying dysphagia and using a screening protocol in residential care settings were considered for inclusion.
REVIEW METHODS
All identified studies were screened by reading of titles, keywords and abstracts. Those articles that were deemed eligible for inclusion were read in full.
RESULTS
Nineteen quantitative studies and one mixed-methods study out of 1,674 articles were included in the review. Thirteen different instruments for dysphagia screening were identified, with the Modified Water Swallow Test being the most commonly used. Other diagnostic procedures, such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, pulse oximetry or cervical auscultation, were implemented along with the administration of a dysphagia screening tool in six studies. The 3-Ounce Water Swallow Test, the Yale Swallow Protocol and the Gugging Swallowing Screen were identified as the instruments with the best clinical accuracy values. The reported prevalence of dysphagia in this setting ranged from 15% to 70%.
CONCLUSIONS
Formal dysphagia screening in residential care settings is not common practice. The dysphagia screening tools identified in this review are not validated for use in this setting. The implementation of dysphagia screening protocols specific to this population may facilitate identification of dysphagia and avoid complications.
Topics: Aged; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Mass Screening; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 33220569
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103813 -
Journal of Histotechnology Sep 2023Cat food production is a billion-dollar industry in the United States, with most pet owners trusting pet food companies to provide their pets with complete nutrition....
Cat food production is a billion-dollar industry in the United States, with most pet owners trusting pet food companies to provide their pets with complete nutrition. Moist or canned cat food is healthier than dry kibble for cats due to its higher water content promoting healthy kidney function, but ingredient labels on canned cat food are lengthy with ambiguous terminology including 'animal by-products.' Forty canned cat food samples were collected from grocery stores and were processed using routine histologic methods. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections were evaluated microscopically to determine the cat food content. Many brands and flavors were composed of well-preserved skeletal muscles admixed with various animal organs, which closely approximates nutritional components found in natural feline prey. However, several samples demonstrated marked degenerative changes suggesting a delay in food processing and potential decrease in nutrient content. Four samples contained cuts consisting of skeletal muscle only with no organ meat. Surprisingly, 10 samples contained fungal spores and 15 demonstrated refractile particulate matter. A cost analysis demonstrated that although the overall quality of canned cat food increases as the average cost per ounce increases, low-cost high-quality canned cat food is available.
Topics: Animals; Cats; United States; Animal Feed; Food, Preserved; Meat; Food Handling
PubMed: 36811489
DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2023.2177815 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 2018
Topics: Cryopreservation; Emotions; Oocytes; Personal Satisfaction
PubMed: 29807656
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.023